Ophthalmology

The Sussex Eye Hospital (SEH) serves a population of approximately 500,000 and a sub specialist referral population of over 1 million. The ophthalmology department provides a comprehensive service at the SEH and holds satellite clinics at the Princess Royal Hospital (PRH).

Our ophthalmology services comprise a 24-hour ophthalmic accident and emergency service as well as diagnosis and treatment of cataract, glaucoma, agerelated macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease. Trainees have the opportunity to gain experience in paediatric ophthalmology, neuroophthalmology, orthoptics, vitreo-retinal surgery, corneal service, as well as lid, oculoplastic and ophthalmic reconstructive surgery. Ophthalmic surgery is performed at the PRH (cataracts) and the SEH (all ophthalmic surgery including cataracts). The close proximity to the

Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH) allows for specialist investigations and co-operation with other disciplines. The Sussex Eye Hospital has a complement of nine Consultant Ophthalmologists, five Fellows (vitreoretinal, med retina, ant segment, plastics, glaucoma), four ophthalmic surgical trainees (OST2-7), one Associate Specialist and one Trust grade doctor.

OPHTHALMOLOGY

Teaching

A weekly regional study afternoon takes place in Brighton and twice a term in Eastbourne or Hastings. The events are in the format of clinical grand rounds, lectures delivered by visiting speakers or local speakers, as well as audit and clinical governance sessions.

Trainees from Brighton, Redhill, Eastbourne and Hastings are invited to the weekly lunchtime fluorescein and OCT teaching sessions. They also have opportunity and are encouraged to present in these sessions.

Research

The ophthalmology research team is involved in high profile research projects and trials and trainees are invited to

contribute to projects on wet macular degeneration, vein occlusions, genetic polymorphism, optic neuritis treatment, diabetic macular oedema and macular oedema.

Staff is also involved in a variety of research projects investigating corneal astigmatism and modern intraocular lenses as well as femtosecond laser cataract surgery. The team has a particular interest in intraocular lens delivering systems and anterior segment anatomy with ultrasound biomicroscopy.

Other projects explore central retinal vein occlusion and diabetic retinopathy as well as nanoparticle behaviour in human and artificial skin-muscle tissue.